Vacation Rental Properties

Landlord Rights: What You Need To Know

If you’re a landlord, you need to start looking closely at your rights. If you don’t know what your rights as a landlord are, you won’t be able to exercise your rights. Below, you’ll find a few things that are important to know.

Landlord Rights Vary From State To State

The rights you have as a landlord will vary based on the state that where the property resides. Some states are more favorable to tenants. In other states, landlords have the upper hand.

Because different states have different rules and restrictions, it is essential for you to be aware of the rights that you have in your area. Read up on local laws. Make sure that you are following the rules in your state. Looking at regional regulations can ensure that you can fully exercise your rights as a landlord.

Advertising A Rental Property

You need to be cautious when you are advertising a property for rent. While you should do everything in your power to attract potential tenants, you need to make sure you are accurately advertising the property. If you misrepresent the property, the tenant could take you to court later on.

Try to use factual statements in your ad. Instead of saying that an apartment is in “perfect condition,” you may want to state that it was recently updated. Being careful about your wording will help you to avoid problems in the future.

Repairs

It’s likely that your property or properties will need repair work from time to time. If one of your properties needs repairs, you need to make sure that those repairs happen.

If one of your tenants is dealing with a minor issue, you may be able to wait a few days to resolve the problem. However, if they’re dealing with a significant problem, like a lack of heat in the winter, you need to respond to their issue immediately.

If you fail to make repairs to your property, your tenant may be able to withhold rent and take you to court. If you want to be a landlord, you need to make sure you are able to make repairs in a timely manner.

You Can Terminate A Lease For Any Reason

When a lease comes to an end, you don’t need a specific reason to terminate it. If you decide that you do not want to continue your relationship with the tenant, you can usually choose to terminate the lease.

With that said, there are some restrictions on lease termination. You need to give your tenant notice if you are going to be terminating the lease. The amount of notice that you must provide will depend on the state. You will also need to make sure that the terms of renewal and termination are outlined in the lease you present your tenant with.

Evicting A Tenant

You can’t evict a tenant for any reason. Typically, your tenant needs to violate the terms of their lease for you to take them to court. In most cases, tenants are evicted because they are refusing to pay their rent.

With that said, eviction laws vary from state to state. Read up on state laws before you file for eviction. You’ll want to make sure you can win your eviction case.

Visiting Your Property

If you want to see your property, you can’t simply open the door and walk in. You need to make sure you give your tenant notice before entering the property.

In most states, you need to give your tenant at least 24 hours notice before you visit the property. Some states may have additional restrictions. For example, you may have to tell the tenant why you are going to be entering the property.

You should never barge into a tenant’s property. If you want to see their property, you need to let your tenants know when and why.

Being a landlord can be a lot of work, even if you work with a property management company. However, your job will get a lot easier if you’re fully aware of your rights. Make sure you know what you can and can’t do.